Earthquakes: Drop, cover, hold on

It is important to remain calm and listen to the advice of the civil defence authorities.

A fairly strong earthquake swarm has been occurring in the Reykjanes Peninsula over the past week.  On this occasion, the public is urged to familiarise themselves with earthquake safety and preparedness so that as many people as possible, and ideally everyone, are aware of the correct response. The Commissioner of the National Police, in consultation with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, the Chief Constable of the South-West Metropolitan Police and the Icelandic Meteorological Institute, last week declared a state of alert for civil protection due to the earthquake swarm. This was done to coordinate the actions and procedures of various agencies and institutions and does not affect the general public.  The emphasis is on preparing people for what could potentially happen.   

Crouch, cover and hold is a phrase everyone should memorise. 

Detailed information on how to respond during and after an earthquake can be found on the website of the Civil Contingencies Department of the National Police Commissioner, along with information on protection and preparedness. 

• Website of the Civil Protection Department of the National Police Commissioner
• Response to earthquake
• Response after an earthquake
• Defence and preparedness
• The Met Office website – the latest information on the situation

Important points to consider – at home and at work 

Furniture:
Secure cabinets, shelves and heavy items to the floor or wall. Keep the castors on furniture always locked. If the castors do not have a locking mechanism, fit a frame around them to prevent the furniture from moving during an earthquake. However, please note that a frame or a lock on castors will not prevent furniture from tipping over. Secure light decorative items with Blu-Tack.

Loose items and ornaments:
Do not place heavy items on high shelves or walls without securing them firmly. Blu-Tack can be used to prevent lighter items from shifting during an earthquake. Heavy tableware and objects are best stored in lower cupboards, preferably locked.

Heating appliances and radiators:
Secure heating appliances and ovens. Familiarise yourself with the location and shut-off point for the water supply and the electrical panel. Securely fasten heat pump heaters. A leak can cause significant damage if the water is not shut off immediately. The same applies to the connections for washing machines and dishwashers.

Photos, chandeliers:
Secure pictures and chandeliers in closed loops.

Cupboard doors:
Store heavy tableware in the lower cupboards/drawers and fit safety/child locks to cupboard doors to prevent their contents from falling out.

Accommodation:
Prevent cupboards, paintings, fragile and heavy items from falling onto sleeping areas. Avoid placing beds near large windows and load-bearing walls.

Air and floor:
Finish suspended ceilings and raised floors well.

Windows:
Cover windows or fit safety film to glass to prevent a shower of shards if a pane breaks. Do not place beds under windows if there is a risk of earthquakes.

Insurance:
Compensation from the Icelandic Natural Disaster Insurance for property is based on fire insurance, which is compulsory.

Radio and announcements:
Listen to announcements and instructions broadcast on the radio. It is a good idea to have a longwave radio in case FM stations go off the air. You can then listen to the radio in your car.

Telephones:
Mobile phones are of little use if the power goes out for a long time. It can be a good idea to have a car charger or a power bank to charge mobile phones. Send a text message to your nearest and dearest instead of calling (especially after a major earthquake) to reduce the strain on the emergency phone network.